The Department for Environment and Water (DEW) is partnering with the Ngarrindjeri Aboriginal Corporation to develop a database of cultural knowledge to inform the future management of the Coorong.
DEW said that while the Ngarrindjeri Research Project was an initiative of Project Coorong’s Healthy Coorong, Healthy Basin (HCHB) initiative, it would be a Ngarrindjeri-led and owned project enabling inter-generational learning for Ngarrindjeri people to share knowledge of the Coorong and the local ecology.
Project Coordinator for HCHB, Daniel Lloyd (pictured left) and representatives from the Rritjarukar Dance Group, Michael Lindsay (pictured centre) and Rita Lindsay (pictured right) met on the banks of Lake Alexandrina last week (28 July) to discuss culture and two-way knowledge sharing as part of the Project.
Chief Executive Officer from Ngarrindjeri Aboriginal Corporation, Tim Hartman said Ngarrindjeri had a cultural obligation to care for and manage country.
“Having a Ngarrindjeri-led and managed research project allows Ngarrindjeri to actively take a leadership role to speak on behalf of Yarluwar Ruwe (Lands and Waters) and the ongoing management of the Coorong,” Mr Hartman said.
“It will strengthen the broader community’s understanding on the significance of Ngarrindjeri cultural values and how a healthy system is a requirement of the wellbeing of the Ngarrindjeri people.”
Manager of Healthy Coorong, Healthy Basin with DEW, Angus MacGregor said it was an exciting change to have Ngarrindjeri as the project leaders and owners of the research outcomes.
Mr MacGregor said research topics to be captured in the knowledge database included the significance and use of fresh-water soaks and wells along the Coorong; knowledge of the Pelican breeding Islands in the Coorong; and the Salt Creek/South Lagoon’s past importance to Ngarrindjeri Ngartji’s breeding cycles, in particular species such as Jumping Mullet.
More information on Project Coorong’s Healthy Coorong, Healthy Basin initiative can be accessed at this PS News link.
